Warhammer 40K: Let’s Talk Proxies and Conversions
Adam, from TFG Radio, here to talk about conversions and full model proxies in 40K casual and competitive play.
There are a lot of options available to a player. Admittedly some factions have more options than others, basically due to the number of codexes within the larger faction in general. Also, in case you hadn’t noticed, the models can be expensive. Many times, players just simply do not like the look of a model, even though the model is part of a strong unit. This has led to many people, over the years, converting models so that they are more aesthetically pleasing to the owner, or simply just cheaper to make. The other option you often see is when players will proxy models. We will discuss both cases.
Examples of bad proxies…
Proxies
Proxies are models, or bits, that replace the actual weapon, or model, it is used to represent. For instance, you may proxy a melta gun by using plasma guns and telling your opponent that all your plasma guns are melta guns. You may run a Space Marine Intercessor as Infiltrators. This is done a lot in non tournament setting where players are practicing for an upcoming event. They do this to test out units they are thinking of using and do not want to spend the money on a unit they may not even use. In tournament play this can be allowed as long as the proxy isn’t too crazy. Proxies can easily be used is the model comes from the same army and there are no other similar models in the army that would be used as something else. When they come from the Games Workshop line, and are from the same faction or model line, they are usually ok. However, there are times where the proxy model is not good at all compared to the model it is supposed to represent and that the model cannot be allowed. This can be due to the size of the proxy model itself, the condition of the model, or the way the model looks, are a number of reasons to disqualify a proxy. Many times it is obvious that there is an advantage to using a proxy, especially if the dimensions of the proxy are not similar to the actual model. This can make a model easier to hide, make their aura bigger, or other such advantage due to the difference in size. It is very important to get the okay from the Tournament Organizer before the event. If done in a timely manner, this should give you enough time to correct any issues they may have. This also ensures that your models don’t get pulled from the table in the middle of the event, especially if you are in a winning position, and you don’t have any issues with your opponents.
Example of good conversion
Conversions
If you are an Ork player, or you know an Ork player, than you are very familiar with what conversions are. It is, in most cases, taking an existing model and adding bits and pieces to the model. The model usually keeps it’s basic shape but rarely looks like it’s original form. Where proxies are models that are not sold by Games Workshop, conversions use model, along with bits, that were made by Games Workshop. Some of the best models I have ever seen have been conversion work. in the past conversions was a way for players to have models and units that were not produced by Games Workshop. With the impending Warhammer Legends, many of these conversions will be relegated to this new category and these index units will not be seen on the tabletop, unless we see Legends Tournaments. Even with that, there are plenty of models that people still create with conversions. As with proxies, many players decide to create conversions for models that they may not like. Although I just mentioned how awesome conversions look, they do not need to be a grand brush to totally change a model. Conversions can be as simple as a head or hand swap, or so complex that you model may involve pieces from a bunch of other models. It really is up to your imagination. Again, just like with proxies, be sure to get the okay from the Tournament Organizer that your conversions are good. The same reasons for rejection for a proxy apply to conversions, so be prepared to make any adjustments, if necessary. Also keep in mind that if you are at an event that has Games Workshop running their Twitch stream, any models, conversion or proxy, that are not produced by Games Workshop will not be allowed on the stream.
~That’s all for this week and I haven’t even started on 3D printed models. That’s a topic for another time. Let me know what you think and any conversions/proxies, good or bad, you have seen at events, in the comments below.
